How EU Digital Laws May Transform the Internet

The European Union is driving one of the most ambitious digital regulatory overhauls in history. A wave of new laws—including the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, Data Act, Cyber Resilience Act, and telecom reforms—is already changing how platforms, businesses, and users interact online. These regulations aim to curb monopolistic practices, enhance consumer rights, improve cybersecurity, and ensure data portability. From secure DNS services to political ad transparency, the effects of these laws will ripple across the internet ecosystem, both inside and beyond EU borders. This article breaks down each major regulation, explaining what it mandates and how it could reshape the internet as we know it.

Digital Services Act and Content Transparency

The Digital Services Act (DSA), adopted in 2022, imposes stricter obligations on large online platforms to moderate illegal content, disclose algorithmic processes, and increase transparency around targeted advertising. Platforms with over 45 million EU users must open their algorithm details to regulators and offer tools for users to challenge moderation decisions. They must also maintain repositories of ads and refrain from profiling children or using sensitive data without consent. Although the DSA is already in effect, enforcement and compliance are now gathering momentum, with auditing regimes and reporting standards under development.

 • Platforms must explain content removal decisions and moderation logic.
 • Very large platforms must publish ad repositories and transparently report targeting.
 • Targeted ads based on sensitive data or aimed at minors are prohibited.
 • Users gain rights to appeal moderation and algorithm decisions.
 • Regular independent audits ensure platform compliance.

Digital Markets Act and Tech Gatekeeper Oversight

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective since late 2023, targets large “gatekeeper” platforms—search engines, social networks, app stores, messaging services, cloud and advertising providers. The DMA seeks to enforce fair competition by banning self-preferencing, forcing interoperability, and enabling users to choose alternative services. Early data shows alternative browsers like Brave, Ecosia, and Vivaldi saw significant EU growth after implementation (arXiv). The DMA also clarifies market behaviour rules, empowers regulators to issue hefty fines, and opens EU digital markets to greater contestability.

 • Gatekeepers must allow interoperability with rival services.
 • Platforms are forbidden from prioritising their own services or apps.
 • Users can uninstall pre-installed software and switch defaults easily.
 • Big tech must share data with business competitors.
 • Non-compliance can trigger fines up to 10% of global revenue.

EU Data Act: Access, Portability, and Fair Data Use

The EU Data Act, entering into full effect on 12 September 2025, is reshaping how personal and non-personal data from connected devices can be accessed and shared. It expands beyond GDPR’s personal data limits and enables users—including businesses—to share data with third parties and negotiate fair contractual terms. The Act mandates “access by design”, giving users rights to port data between service providers and prevents vendors from monopolizing device-generated data. It also enables public sector use of private data during emergencies, streamlining disaster responses and innovation efforts.

 • Users and businesses gain seamless access to IoT-generated data.
 • Devices must support easy data portability across providers.
 • Contracts must exclude unfair clauses preventing data sharing.
 • Public authorities can access data during crises under controlled conditions.
 • Manufacturers must ensure “access by design” capabilities.

Cyber Resilience Act: Strengthening Software Security

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) sets mandatory cybersecurity requirements for digital products sold in EU markets. Manufacturers must conduct risk assessments, provide automatic security updates by default, and report incidents within 24 hours to ENISA if serious. Products deemed “important” or “critical” require external audits, while general goods follow self-assessment. Firms will maintain documentation for up to ten years after launch and face substantial fines—up to €15 million or 2.5% of global turnover—for violations. The CRA is set to be phased in, with full enforcement expected by late 2027.

 • Software and IoT devices must implement default auto-updates for security patches.
 • Risk assessments and documentation must cover a product’s full lifecycle.
 • Serious security breaches must be reported rapidly to ENISA.
 • High-risk products will undergo external auditing.
 • Firms face heavy fines for non-compliance; open-source projects are exempt.

DNS4EU: Toward a Sovereign EU DNS Resolver

The launch of DNS4EU on 9 June 2025 marks a major development in EU digital sovereignty. DNS4EU is a privacy-focused, public DNS resolver service run within EU borders and designed to comply with GDPR. It offers an alternative to third-party global DNS providers, minimizing Europe’s dependence on non-EU infrastructure and protecting user data. Operated by a consortium of EU cybersecurity organizations, DNS4EU supports threat intelligence sharing across member states and promises fast, neutral, uncensorable DNS resolution service—under public-sector oversight yet without EU access to configuration data.

 • EU-based DNS resolution service ensures GDPR-compliant operation.
 • Offers privacy preservation by avoiding data monetization.
 • Enables coordinated cyber threat responses across member states.
 • Operates under net neutrality principles with no censorship.
 • Voluntary but encourages widespread use to bolster digital autonomy.

Telecom Law Overhaul and Digital Networks Act

In mid‑2025 the European Commission initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s Electronic Communications Code (EECC), proposing a new Digital Networks Act (DNA). This reform may replace outdated telecom rules on spectrum management, numbering, and licensing, and aim to streamline digital infrastructure governance, reduce national-level red tape, and support pan‑EU interoperability. Input is currently solicited from stakeholders, and the DNA could reshape access to broadband, mobile, and IoT connectivity for users and businesses alike.

 • Simplifies licensing and spectrum coordination across member states.
 • Encourages pan‑EU broadband and 5G development.
 • Promotes infrastructure sharing and digital connectivity standards.
 • Streamlines national telecom regulations via EU-wide directives.
 • Seeks input from regulators, operators, and consumer groups.

Transparency in Political Advertising: TTPA Regulation

The EU’s new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation, coming into force in October 2025, mandates strict transparency for political or issue-based ads: platforms must label political content, disclose sponsors, targeting criteria, costs, and maintain searchable ad archives. Meta and Google announced they will ban all political advertising in the EU rather than comply, citing complexity and legal uncertainty. Platforms face fines up to 6% of global annual revenue for violations.

 • Political ads must clearly indicate sponsor identity and targeting options.
 • Platforms must maintain public archives of all campaign ads.
 • Cost and reach data for each ad must be disclosed.
 • Companies face fines up to 6% of global revenue for non-compliance.
 • Meta plans to cease paid political advertising in EU rather than comply.

Digital Fairness Act: Combating Dark Patterns and Hidden Bias

The proposed Digital Fairness Act (DFA), currently under public consultation, aims to regulate misleading design practices (so‑called dark patterns), influencer marketing, personalized contracts, and opaque personalization. Scheduled for formal proposal in late 2026, the DFA intends to enforce autonomy and transparency in online choice architecture, prohibiting manipulative interfaces that pressure users into unwanted subscriptions or hidden fees. It represents a next frontier in consumer protection within EU digital law.

 • Platforms must avoid manipulative UI features like nagging, pre‑checks, or drip pricing.
 • Contracts must clearly disclose fees and terms in understandable language.
 • Influencer content must be transparently labelled as promotional.
 • Personalized nudging based on profiling will face restrictions.
 • Public consultation ongoing; expected to become law in 2026.

Conclusion

The suite of new EU laws—from the DSA and DMA to data access, cybersecurity, political advertising transparency, and telecom reform—is poised to profoundly reshape the digital landscape. Together, they reinforce user rights, restrict monopolistic behaviours, promote interoperability, and protect digital infrastructure. While compliance may impose significant burdens on businesses, especially large platforms and tech firms, the aim is to build a safer, fairer, more sovereign internet—anchored by European values and legal standards.